“Ladies’ nights” in Phnom Penh

What we say:

“Ladies’ nights” — those antiquated gender-discriminatory events — are still popular around Phnom Penh. These mid-week promotions usually offer some sort of free or discounted drinks to women in the hopes that it will draw more of them, and the men that love them, into the establishment. It never seems to have the desired effect, as there are almost always more men than women in the bars and clubs in Phnom Penh, but I’m not one to turn my nose up at free drinks.

It's Ladies' Night and a blue margarita is feelin' right!

Here are a few of the top Ladies’ Nights promotions in Phnom Penh:

Darlin’ Darlin’Tuesdays, 18:00-21:00.Darlin’ Darlin’, the club at Nagaworld, offers 50% off all cocktails for women until 21:00. This is a decent promotion because the cocktails at Darlin’ Darlin’ are delicious but regularly rather pricey. They also feature a cover band from the Philippines kicking out the jams at a volume that I consider unbearable and bartenders that juggle and light things on fire.At NagaWorld, Hun Sen Park, Phnom PenhT: (023) 228 822

PontoonWednesdays, 21:00-05:00.Pontoon offers 50% all cocktails for women (bringing a mojito down to $2.25) as well as 50% off Vodka Cruisers, Miller, wine and bottles of champagne. The best part? Free Jello shots. Surprisingly busy for a Wednesday night, the event features DJ Illest rocking the crowd with dance tunes and old school hip hop.#80 St 172 near Rue Pasteur (St 51), Phnom Penh.T: (010) 030 0400; (016) 779 966

RiverhouseThursdays, 16:00-late.Riverhouse Lounge offers a free welcome drinks to women on Thursdays, as well as 2-for-1 cocktails and groups of five women or more can get a free jug of margaritas. In practice, the Riverhouse staff can be quite surly about delivering said free drinks so be sure to ask for a drink ticket downstairs before you go in. Lots of reports of women being refused the free drink promotion because it’s “too late” or because the staff was too busy staring at the walls. DJ Star, DJ Blue and DJ Gang play Top 40 dance tunes.Corner St. 110 and Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh.T: 012 299 161

About the author Lina Goldberg
Previously, Lina has been based in Oakland, California, New York City, Dublin and London. Lina spends most of her time thinking about food, travel and synthpop. She's currently based in Siem Reap.